Attachment for electric controllers



A. R. ANDERSON ATTACHMENT FOR ELECTRIC CONTROLLERS. APPLICATION FI LED JAN. 20'. 1917- Patented Jan.v 27, 1920.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. I N VEN TOR.

I A. R. ANDERSON. ATTACHMENT 50B ELECTRIC CONTROLLERS.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2 IN VEN TOR.

' A TITORNEY.

' remote from Attachments for Electric nzavrn a ANDERSON, or

COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSlGNOR TO THE AUTOMATI RECLOSIN'G- CIRCUIT BREAKER COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OHIO.

' ATTACHMENT roe ELno mo CONTROLLERS.

Application filed, January 20, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Anvn) R. Annnnson, a

citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements. in Controllers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an attachment for an electric controller and has to do with the provision of mechanism for eliminating arcing in the controller and simultaneously guarding against no voltage conditions as well as the cutting in of electrical apparatus without the interposition of proper resistances. i that, in the operation of controllers or starting'boxes of common type, several operations or conditions may arise as follows: the controller may be moved toward off position while there is voltage on the. line; the controller may be on one of the running positions and the voltage fail, the controller then being left in running position with part, and perhaps all, of the resistances cut out; the controller may be in 0E position when voltage fails and may then be moved to one of the running positions and left there with no'voltage on the line.

In the first of these enumerated cases, the contacts of the controller 9 are burnt an blistered by arcing and are seriously injured in a comparatively short tipie. In the last two cases, the return of V0 e to the line results in the unexpected starting of. the electrical apparatus and ndue strain because of lack of protective resistances.

Devices have hitherto been provided for eliminating arcing in the controller, generally by breaking the circuit at a point the controller upon reverse movement of the controller handle, although the mechanical expedients utilized have rendered these devices crude. To the best of my knowledge, none of these devices attempts to provide protection against the illefi'ects of the no-voltage conditions above described.

My invention does two striking things.

It entirely eliminates the mechanical expedients referred to, vIt completely takes care of no-voltage conditions.

My invention eliminates the mechanic l Experience in the art has demonstratedv accompanying drawings (1 characters of reference indicate correspond- Specification or Letters Patent. t t Jan, 27, 192() Serial No. 143,492.

expedients by substituting electrically operated mechanism which does the work of the mechanical expedients referred to and goes much further, in that it automatically responds to no-voltage conditions and guards against any sudden strains on the electrical apparatus or unexpected starting thereof. More specifically, it contemplates a solenoid switch at a remote point and a controller handle of such structure and'so connected that reverse movement thereof deengerizes. and opens such switch. This switch is so constructed that failure of voltage also causes it to open. Then, my invention contemplates a means for maintaining said switch in inoperative condition until the controller handle has been returned to off position.

. It is a vitally important and distinctive characteristic of my apparatus that it is impossible to reclose the solenoid switch after it has opened, except when the controller is in off positlon. This is-true whether the solenoid switch has opened, due either to a reverse movement of the controller, failure of voltage, or any cause whatever. It is only in off osition, then, that return of voltage can e ect the closing of said switch.

The further description of my apparatus will be best understood by reference to the wherein similar ing parts and wherein:

Figure 1 shows one form of apparatus used by me.

Fig. 2 illustrates a modified form of apparatus.

Fig. '3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the operating circuit for the solenoid switch.

Referring to Fig. 1,'the numerall, represents a trolley or the positive sideof the line, while 2 and 3 represent the main contacts of the solenoid switch at a point remote from the controller. The main circuit of this controller is designated A and the controller drum 5 is operative n conjunction with brushes 6 and 7 to out in and cut out portions of the resistance 8. This which is located resistance 8 is connected by a wire 9 to a v motor 10, the latter having one terminal connected to the ground or to the negative side of the line. The position ofthe parts in this figure represents a controller in the off position and the main motor circuit open at the mam contacts 2 and 3 of the solenoid switch as well as in the controller drum.

The controller handle is unique in charactor and is formed in two parts respectively designated 11 and 12, the part 11 being connected to ground by a wire 13. The member 11 carries the contact 11 upon its side adjacent the member 12. This member 12 also carries a contact 15 so located as to make contact with the contact 11 when the controller handle is moved toward on position. In addition, the member 12 carries upon its under surface a projection 16 which makes contact continually with the ring 17 designed to be mounted upon the top of the controller box.

It will be noted that the portion of the member 12 which carries the contact 1.) and the projection 16.is insulated from ground by the insulation 18.

The member 1.2 also carries a bridge 19 which is insulated from this member 12 by Y the insulation 20 and which is dcsignedto bridge spaced segments 21 and 22 when the controller is in off position, and while it travels through a short are toward on position, this bridging of segments 21 and 22 being maintained until contacts 14: and 15 come together. .t this point, it should be noted that the member 12 is rotatable through a short are with reference to the member 11, while the downward projection on the member 12 limit-s this relative movement in the opposite direction.

The solenoid switch may be designated 24 and is provided with a bridge element 25 designed to bridge the spaced contacts 2 and 3. This bridge element 25 is carried by the core 26 of the solenoid and the lower end of this core carries a bridge piece 27 adapted to bridge the contacts 28 and 29;

With the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1, several things may be done. The controller handle may be moved toward on position with voltage on the line and voltage may remain on the line after on position is reached. The controller may be moved toward on position with voltage on the line and voltage may fail after on position is reached. The cont-roller may be moved toward on position with no volton the line.

If either or these things are done, the circuit through the operating coil 24-, already closed at segments 21 and 22 by the bridge 19, will be, completely closed by the coming together of contacts 14 and 15: If there is voltage on the line the solenoid switch will be closed and contacts 28 and 2829 bridged, respectively by bridges 25 and 27. If there is no voltage on the line the solenoid switch will remain open.

Then, if there is voltage on the line, the

solenoid switch will be closed. by current solenoid switch, to point 32 on ring 17, 7

through 17 to projection 16, and member 12, through contacts 15 and 14, to member 11 and then to the ground.

This energizes the operating coil of the solenoid switch and causes the bridge 25 to 7 bridge the main contacts 2 and 3. At the same time, the auxiliary bridge 27 bridges the auxiliary contacts 28 and 29 and closes another circuit from line 1 through contact 2 point 33, contact 28. bridge 27 contact 29, 8

point 81 solenoid coil 24, point ring 17 projection 16, member 12, contacts 15 and 14, member 11 to ground at 13.

If there is no voltage on the line, the sole noid switch will not close While leaving off 8 position. This'is obvious.

Now, the controller handle may bein on position, with or without voltage on the line. If there is reverse movement of the controller, with voltage on the line, my contacts 14 9 and 15 instantly separate and the solenoid switch, at a remote point, opens to break the circuit and prevent arcing at the contact points of the col troller. On the other hand,

it there is a fai ure of voltage on the line, 9

the solenoid switch instantly opens and thereby breaks the circuit of the solenoid 21 at contacts 28 and 29. In either event, the solenoid switch can only be made to close by moving the controller to off position. 1

After the slightest reverse movement, forward movement of the controller is inefi'ective to close the solenoid switch. Likewise, after failure, of voltage, return of voltage to the line is ineffective to close the solenoid 1 switch. Once this solenoid switch is opened, neither forward movement nor return of voltage effective to close it, except in off position; Where a slight forward movement of the controller handle with voltage 1 on the line will close the switch.

From this it follows that when once the solenoid switch is opened, whether by reverse movement of the controller, failure of voltage or any other cause the controller can only start the electrical apparatus by return to off position and the gradual cutting out I of resistance elements.

Now, it may be pointed out'that, during the movement of the controller handle into 1 on position and shortly after the contacts 14 and come together, the bridge 19 leaves the segments 21 and 22, opening the circuit through the operating coil of the solenoid switch at this point. However, the circuit through this operating coil by way of contacts 28 and 29 and bridge 27 is still closed and remains closed as long as there is no reversal of the controller or failure of voltage. I

A continuation of the movement of the.

, member 12 in the same direction finallyessence tion, successive resistance steps are short circuit/ed in the usual manner.

When it is desired to shut ofi the power from the motor 10, the member 12 is rotated away from the member 11 breaking the oil'- cuit between points 14 and 15 and duiener-v gizing the operating coil of the solenoid switch. This causes the bridge 25 to drop away from also causes the bridge 27 to drop away from the points the auxiliary contacts 28 and 29. The main motor circuit is thereby. completely opened at points 2 and 8, rendering the con roller drum and controller fingers or brushes dead. The member 12 has rotated away from the member 11 and is designed when the heel 23 on the member 12 engages the member 11 to cause the controller drum to be rotated toward of? position.

It will be noted that, before the oil position is reached, the member 12 may rotate toward the member 11 so as to make contact between contacts 14 and 15; but this action will not energize the operating coil 24 of the solenoid switch, because the circuit through this coil is open between points 33 and 31, as at 28 and 29.

The circuit in the operating coil 24 of the solenoid switch can now be closed'between 33 and 31 by returning the. memher-12, together with its member 1 and the controller drum 5, to otl' position; for in this position, the circuit of the operating coil 24 between points 33 and 31 is closed by the bridge 19 extending from segment.- 21to segment 22 and may be completely closed by a slight movement of the member 12 toward on position, so as to bring the contacts 14 and 15 together.

it is'onlyin the oil position, then, that the solenoid switch may be closed by rotating member 12 until contacts 14' and .15 ,meet while there is voltage on the line. Also, it is only in oil position, that the solenoid switch may be c-loscdby a return of voltage to the'line after the existence of no-voltage conditions.

The modification shown in Fig. 2, illustrates the structure presented identically with the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, and operating upon the same principle... The difference is largely structural and arises from the fact that the modification utilizes a more simple form of solenoid switch.

The parts of the apparatus which have been designated by the numerals applied to Fig. 1 and the description apply to Fig. 2 with the exception that the functions of the bridges 25 and 27' of the structure shown the main contacts 2 and 3 and.v

in Fig. 1 are combined in the bridge 25 of Fig. 2. The manner in which this matter is accomplished does not need furtherdescription, beingevident to those skilled in the art.

Thus the initialcircuit'is from line 1 to contact 2 to segment 21, across bridge 19 to segment 22, along wire30 to solenoid switch "coil 24 to point 320m rin 17 to projection 16 on member 12, throng contacts 15 and 14 to member 11 and then to ground at,13. This is While the bridge-19 is still engaging the segments 21 and 22 and after themember has been movedtoward on position sufiiciently to bring the contacts 14 and 15 to ether. If there is voltage on the line at this time, the member 25 will be elevated to bridge contacts 2 and 3 with the result that there is a closed circuit from line 1 to contact 2, through bridge 25 to contact 3 to point 35, to point36, through coil 24 to point 32 on ring 17, to projection 16 on member 12, through contacts 15 and 14 to member 11 and thence to ground.

. Thus, there is an initial solenoid operating circuit closed bymoving the controller to iofi position and slightly toward on position. Then, there is a; second circuit closed by the closing of the solenoid switch,

and while the initial circuit is still closed. Then, the initial circuit is opened while the second circuit remains closed, until the controller is reversed or the voltage fails,

A purely diagrammatic representation of the operating circuits for my solenoid switch coil is shown in Fig. 3. 'Here it appears that there is a main path 50 broken at 51 and diverging into two paths 52 and 53 which lead to the operating coil of the solenoid switch and which are open as at 54 and 55, respectively. The opening at 51 represents the space between the contacts of spread members 11 and 12. The opening at 54 represents'the openin between segments 21 and 22 which may e bridged by the bridge 19. The opening at 55 represents the opening at points 28 and 29 in the form shown in Fig. 1 and the equivalent opening at points 2 and 8 in the form shown in Fig.- 2. Obviously, path 53 can only be closed byfirst closing openings 54 and 51, for this is necessary to raise the core of the solenoid.

Therefore it is these openings that are this path 52 is opened by movement of the bridge 19 away from the segments '21 and 22, which results from the continued movement of the controller into 'on position.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In combination with a controller for an electric circuit, means for "opening the circuit at a remote point upon reverse move ment of the controller handle in any position or upon failure of voltage, and means for closing said circuit at such remote point, said last means being only operative when the controller is in off position.

:2. In C(Hl'lbllltltlOll with a controller for an electric circuit, a solenoid switch for opening the circuit at a remote point upon reverse movement of the controller handle in any position or upon failure of voltage, an operating circuit for said solenoid switch, said operating circuit being opened by reverse movement of the controller handle in any position or failure of voltage and belng incapable of closing except in the off position of the controller.

3. In combination with a controller for an electric circuit, a solenoid switch for opening the circuit at a remote point upo re verse movement of the controller handle in any position or upon failure of voltage, an operating circuit for said solenoid switch, said circuit being opened by reverse movement of the controller handle in any position or upon failure of voltage, means on the controller for bridging one opening in said operating circuit, and means on the controller for bridging another opening in said operating circuit, said last means being only effective when the controller is in off position.

4. In combination with a controller for an electric circuit, a solenoid switch for opening the circuit at a remote point upon reverse movemcnt of the controller handle in any position or upon failure of voltage, an operating circuit for said solenoid switch, said circuit being opened by reverse movement of the controller handle in any position or upon failure of voltage, means on the controller for partially closing said operating circuit and means on the controller for bridging another opening in said operating circuit, said last two means being incapable of simultaneous closure except in off position of the controller.

5.. In combination with a controller for an electric circuit, a solenoid switch for opening the circuit at a remote point only upon the positive reverse movement of the controller handle in any position or upon failure of voltage, a closing circuit for said solenoid switch only effective in off position of the controller, a maintaining circuit for maintaining said switch closed, said maintaining circuit being rendered operreverse movement of the controller handle in any position or by failure of voltage, and means for reclosing such operating. circuit in the off position of the controller only.

' 7. In combination. with a controller for electric circuits, a solenoid switch operative only upon positive reverse movement of the controller handle inanyposition or upon failure of voltage to open the circuit at a remote point, a break in the operating eircuit of the solenoid switch, and means for closing said break, said means being only effective when there is voltage on the line and the controller is in off position.

8. In combination with an electric controller, means external to the controller for making and breaking the circuit in which the controller is connected, and means for preventing the reclosing of said means after having opened from any cause whatever unless the controller is in the oil position, said last means being effective to reclose merely b j movement from off into on position without other manual operation.

9. In combination with an electric controller, means external to the controller for breaking the circuit in which thecontroller is connected, and means to permit the automatic closing of said means in off position only, upon a slight movement of the, controller in the on direction.

10. In combination with an electric controller, a solenoid switch, having two breaks in series in the circuit of its operating coil,

one of which breaks may be opened or closed by a slight movement of the controller handle in any position, and the other of which breaks may be closed only in the off position of the controller. I

11. In combination with an electric controller, a solenoid switclnhaving two breaks in series in the circuit of its operating coil, one of whichbreaks may be opened or closed by a slight movement of the controller handle in any position, and the other of which breaks may beclosed only when the controller is in ofi position and is maintained closed in any position of the controller so long as the solenoid switch remains closed.

12. In combination with a controller for electric circuits, a split controller handle constructed to close anopening in a circuit upon movement of said handle toward on position when the parts are brought together and effect said opening when separated, as on reversal, a bridge onsaid controller handle, spaced contacts mounted to be lorldged by sa d bridge when said controlle handle is in off position, a means for open- I ing the controller circuit at a remote point, 1 and electrical means for closing said last means when the parts of the controller hand le are together and said spaced contacts are bridged by said bridge.

13. An attachment for a controller for use in combination with an electrically operated switch, having means whereby the operating coil circuit of said switch is initially closed only in the off position of the controller, means governed by said switch whereby an auxiliary circuit for its operating coil is completed by the closing of said switch, and contact points in the operating coil circuit which are closed by a movement of the controller handle in a forward direction, and opened by a movement of the controller handle toward the off position.

14. In combination with a controller for electrical circuits, an electrically operated switch in series with said controller, contacts I governing the operation of said switch, 5 means operable by movement of the controller handle whereby the circuit of closing coilof said switch will be closed initially only when the controller is in the 0H position, and other means whereby the circuit of closing coil will be maintained so long as the switch is closed and the controller handle is moved to\ 'ard, or remains in, a running position, and means whereby the circuit of operating coil of switch will be opened either by a backward movement of the controller handle, or by voltage failure.

15. In combination with a controller for an electric circuit and an electromagneti- "ally operated switch in said circuit, an at tachment to, said controller provided with means for controlling the operation of said switch in such a manner as toclose it only in'the "ofi position of the controller by a slight forward movement of the controller handle, to maintain it closed in any position and under any condition of the controller handle except a positive reverse movement of the controller handle or failure of voltage, and to open said switch only upon positive reverse movement of the controller handle or failure of voltage.

16. In combination with a controller for an electric circuit and a solenoid operated. switch in said circuit, an attachment for said controller, operated by means of the controiler handle, having contacts arranged to com.- plete the operating coil circuit of the solonoid switch only in the "olf position, as the handle is moved forward to maintain said operating coil circuit in all positions of the controller handle, and to open said operating coil circuit only upon the positive reverse movcnienuof the controller handle or failure of voltage.

In testimony whereof, I hereby afiix my I signature. 

